7 Words For The Sound Of An Alarm Clock (Onomatopoeia)

Onomatopoeia is a very interesting way to describe sounds. We can use words to make noises, which helps writers to convey more meaning in their work. This article will explore some of the best words to describe the sound of an alarm clock.

Which Words Can Describe The Sound Of An Alarm Clock?

There are plenty of good sound-based words out there for this reason. The following are some of the best ones:

• Beep beep beep
• Bzzzt bzzzt bzzzt
• Zzzzzzz
• Ring ring
• Tick tick tick
• Tick tock tick tock
• Song choice

The preferred version is “beep beep beep.” It’s the most traditional group of noises that an alarm clock will make, so it’s the one that most people choose by default. We can use it to show that someone has just been rudely awoken by their alarm clock.

Beep Beep Beep

“Beep beep beep” works well because it’s the most common sound we associate with alarm clocks. It’s often much more electronic than a simple “Beep,” but the three words together work well to show what we’re talking about.

Alarm clocks are often thought about negatively since they are used to disturb people’s sleep in the morning. Therefore, the “Beep beep beep” sound is also considered negative. Many people will associate it with waking up when they don’t want to.

• Beep beep beep! There it is again. The alarm clock was screaming at me, but I didn’t want to move.
• Beep beep beep! It’s time to get up, but I don’t think I’m ready for the day yet.
• Beep beep beep! Was that all I was going to hear for the day? That darn alarm clock!

Bzzzt Bzzzt Bzzzt

“Bzzzt bzzzt bzzzt” works similar to “beep beep beep.” However, the repeated “Z” letter shows that it’s a much more electronic, humming sound. We can use this type of alarm clock when we use our mobile phones or electronic devices to wake ourselves up.

If we don’t use a traditional analog alarm clock, a “Bzzzt” noise is much more common.

• Bzzzt bzzzt bzzzt! Clearly, my phone was telling me to wake up.
• Bzzzt bzzzt bzzzt! That’s the alarm for school. I’m not ready for today, but I guess I should get out of bed.
• Bzzzt bzzzt bzzzt! Oh, I hate that alarm clock! I wish I could toss it out the window sometimes!

Zzzzzzz

“Zzzzzz” is an excellent example of how onomatopoeia works. We don’t always need to use words when referencing sounds in daily life. Instead, we can use a selection of letters that work well to describe the sound we’re looking for.

In this case, the repeated “z” implies a more electronic buzzing sound. We can also vary the number of “Z’s” used. If we use more, it’s a longer alarm clock noise, and less would imply a shorter sound.

• Zzzzzzzzzz! It keeps going until I turn it off. Sorry about that.
• Zzzzz! I didn’t think it could get any more annoying, but I was wrong.
• Zzzzzzz! You need to turn that thing off before I come in and turn it off for you!

Ring Ring

“Ring ring” goes back to the more traditional sound expected from alarm clocks. While most alarm clocks are electronic today, there was a time when they were analog clocks, and “ring ring” was a much more common noise to come across.

• Ring ring! Turn that clock off before I get annoyed at you for it! I hate that sound.
• Ring ring! It won’t shut up! I keep hitting it, but it won’t let me go back to sleep!
• Ring ring! It’s time to get up, though I’m not sure I’m in the mood to tackle the day today.

Tick Tick Tick

“Tick tick tick” is a familiar sound we associate with all types of clocks. It always works well when referencing alarm clocks. It’s common for older alarms to use a ticking noise when they want to wake someone up.

Again, analog clocks are more likely to “tick” than most mobile alarm clocks today. Still, if you prefer writing about old-fashioned alarm clocks, then onomatopoeia like “tick tick tick” is going to work really well for you.

• Tick tick tick! I wish I could shut up that awful sound just one more time.
• Tick tick tick! It’s like it knows I’m trying to ignore it and get back to sleep.
• Tick tick tick! I don’t want to hear it anymore! It’s time I get out of bed!

Tick Tock Tick Tock

“Tick tock tick tock” is an extension of the previous section. You might be familiar with “tick tock” as onomatopoeia for a standard clock. The same thing applies when we use an alarm clock.

However, we still need to make sure we know which kind of alarm clock we’re talking about. After all, mobile phone alarm clocks don’t typically come with a “tick tock” option.

• Tick tock tick tock! It’s like the clock counts down to the moment I wake up. I hate it.
• Tick tock tick tock! That’s the sound the day makes when it’s time for me to get out of bed.
• Tick tock tick tock! I can’t stand it. It sounds like it’s rushing me, and I like to take my time!

Song Choice

Finally, there is always your choice of song. We can’t give a specific sound for this one since everyone likes to choose a different song for their alarm clock.

If you use a song as an alarm and want to write about it, it would be more appropriate to use the song lyrics or name to show that it’s woken you up. While it’s not strictly onomatopoeia, it can still work well to demonstrate that your alarm went off.

• My favorite song started playing. Oh no. That means it’s time for the day to start. I’m not ready.
• All I could hear was my alarm clock song on repeat. Damn. It must be morning.
• This song kept ringing through my dreams. Then I realized it was my alarm clock telling me to wake up!